Derek Phillips, Morris Dancers I started performing at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival as a Morris Dancer, in 1994. But before that time, I had been a regular patron (since around 1982), and I even spent part of a Labor Day weekend as a participant on a crafter's generic pass (around 1987). I'm the Morris Dancer with the colorful hair (it's a long story...) and I'm easiest to find when the Morris Dancers are performing - which is generally at the Bear, but occasionally we are at the Boar's Head Inn. Outside the world of Festival, I make my living in the world of dance - primarily as teacher to children in a variety of settings, and as an administrator.

derekdancer@mac.com
http://www.hamline.edu/depts/physics/thodapp/morris/mtm.html

Full Picture

I have been attending MNRF since I moved the Minnesota in 1994. I started working at "Dragon Bones" in 2000. I can generally be found hawking our wares in the street near our booth, just kitty-corner from Puke & Snot. This is probably why I migrated towards being a pirate. I wouldn't have it any other way, though!
[submitted 10/26/2004]

piekkola@gmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/analogpickle/

Been to RennFest on and off for 20+ years. 2002 marks my first year as a volunteer worker. Look for me near the TRILOGY. As a vegetarian butcher I have little business. But since Admiral Columbus discovered rubber in the new world, I've been using it for sausage casings. Unfortunately they are too chewy. But I am bored, no? So I take the casing and twist them into small rubber! animals for the enjoyment of the small ones who come by Children's Trilogy of Games. Outside of FEST I'm a Psychiatric Counselor, and I do balloons at Half Time Rec with the Tim Malloy's, The Minnesota Lynx Games, Minnesota Irish Faire, and vend at the Seven Bridges World Market in Minneapolis.
[submitted 8/23/2006]

wolfspiritjhp@yahoo.com
http://www.xanga.com/home.asp?user=WolfspiritJHP

Deborah Pierce Teal, Former Festie ~ Court Revelers
Lady Morgan of Avalon, Dame of the Garter

My parents brought me to festival when I was 16. I got drunk at the Feast when I was 21. I auditioned in 1988, when I was 24, and have been a "festie" ever since. My character, Lady Morgan, went from wearing virginal pink my first year to black velvet the last few years. I didn't make it out last year. I couldn't fit into my corset after having a baby. Melissa Cinnamon Teal was born on April 29, 2000. She is pictured at the right with her proud pappa, Mallard, last Halloween. I'll be a part-timer with the Revelers in 2001, so say "Good Day" when I see you!

Peace@bitstream.net

[submitted 10/11/2006]

I started playing in 2001 and officially joined the cast in 2003. As Royal Houndskeeper of Madeline, a miniature dachshund, we can be found greeting at the Front Gate and the rest of the day, carrying on about the village. Madeline's favorite activities include digging in the Panini's herb garden and begging for cheese from the Black Widow. We are looking forward to another great season.
[submitted 3/6/2004]

dpipho@renaissancefest.com

I am Dave Plantenberg, better known as Mav. I started working at fest in the fencing booth in 1996. I am one of the head ring masters and booth champions. I am a guitarist in a band called No Purchase Neccessary. We opened for Lojo in the 2002 season down at the campground stage. I am a father of 4 and am trying harder everyday to keep my kids from turning into festies like me.
[submitted 3/24/2004]

lemur@astound.net
http://www.fencingbooth.com

Full Picture

Rho Plantenberg, Fencing Booth

I first came to fest as a patron in 1991, and loved it! I started working at the Fencing Booth in 2001 after making friends with Mav, (who's now my husband) and Cole McDonald. I have worked fest now for three years, and have no plans of ever stopping. Last year I started sewing costume pieces for others, along with constantly adding to my own collection (seems once you start, you're never satisfied). I also have been known to wander the grounds after hours with Mav, Cole and James McConnell (guitars-in-hand) singing late into the night. This year Mav and I are pleased to add another festie...little Jaelyn, born Nov. 2003. So you will probably see our brood--11, 8, 6 year old sons, and baby around. Make sure you say hello!
[submitted 3/25/2004]

tiker16@astound.net
http://www.fencingbooth.com

1992 - 1996 Games, Jacobs Ladder
1997 - 1999 Stage Act, Pulanami Puppets (W/ Amy Jo Kloss)
2000 Stage Act, Minions of Mud (W/ Angela Kozel)
2001 - present Sturdy Beggars Mud Show® (W/ numerous dirtbags)
I also was the author of the controversial "The Open Fly" for the years 1998 to 2000, whereupon it was then written by him who cannot be named for fear of retribution. Aw, what the hell; Mark Lazarchic took it over from there and ground it into the dust. Minnesota is my home fair and where I got my start, and I now perform The Mud Show at North Carolina and Georgia. In the off season, I am a Blackjack Dealer and Supervisor at Mystic Lake Casino.
[submitted 9/1/2004]

paulpleasants@gmail.com
info@mudshow.com
http://www.mudshow.com (Official site of The Sturdy Beggars Mud Show®)

I started Dancing the Maypole at MRF in 2004 in 2005 I worked at Chainmaile Fashions which I would like to continue doing.
[submitted 6/7/2006]

sealsweet@excite.com

Michelle Pollock, Former Festie ~ Safety Services

Dispatch and gate guard part-time

MRF 1995-1999. Am still MudFaery-ing around the globe. Am based in New Zealand. Working on touring exhibition. Also recording and playing music in duo Diddly Deux. Life is good.
[submitted 6/10/2006]

amira@mudfaerywood.com
www.myspace.com/diddlydeux
www.mudfaerywood.com

I have enjoyed the Minnesota faire as a patron for the past five years or so... I can usually be found traipsing around doing absolutely nothing of any importance, and loving every minute of it.

Depending on the weather and my attitude, you might spot me wearing blue velvet nobles, rust or green colored wench-wear or some kind of belly dancer/gypsy garb. One of my favorite haunts is The Smoker... love it. In the real, real world, I am a newspaper reporter for the Winona Post - a 25,000 circ. paper in (you guessed it) Winona. I am also a freelance writer. I have been doing this for some time now, and I love every minute of it. I live in Winona with my family, and yes, we were going to move back to the Twin Cities and no, we didn't... so suffice it to say that I have resigned myself to being only a patron/playtron until the day comes when we live much closer to the faire. Other faires I've played at or worked at include the TRF, Bristol, Kansas City, Renaissance Pleasure Faire North and South (the two big CA faires), MI Renaissance Festival, TN Renaissance Festival, Scarborough Faire in TX, and a handful of smaller faires barely worth mentioning. My parents own Somewhere In Tyme, a heraldry and last name history business, so if I'm working, it's usually for them, especially at faires like Kansas City and Michigan. I am a regular poster on alt.fairs.renaissance under the pseudo identity Idone de Clare.

David W. Potter, Chess Match
Capt. Henry Morgan, Knight of the Garter and the Most Ancient Order of the Thistle

Arrr me hearty's, I be Captain Sir Henry Morgan! I be Master of the good ship Revenge Admiral of the English fleets on the Spanish Main, Kight of the Garter, and owner of the Broadside a tavern for seagowing lads and lassies like me self. And founder of the Privateers.
[submitted 10/14/2005]

capthenrymorgan2004@yahoo.co

[submitted 10/29/2006]

I was a playtron for many years, but went to college too far away to try and come back every weekend. After college I had a friend who worked at Children's Games and got me out there one weekend in 2004. I was hooked and have worked there for two years now. This year (2006) a couple friends and I auditioned to be a band and will be entertaining as part of GNAK. I sing and have made some attempt at learning the Bodhran. Sadly, I seem only to be able to play in four, not three ;)
[submitted 6/7/2006]

dfyinggravity@gmail.com

Don Preston, Stage Act ~ The Adventures of Robin Hood
Sir Robin of Locksley, Aka Robin Hood, The Earl of Locksly, Knight of the Garter

Start in 1991 on street. Moved to the Royal Guard. Spent too many years getting beaten up. So I became the Sgt. Major of the Guard and start redefining dicipline! Then I had a better offer and became Robin Hood and have lived in Sherwood ever since. Have been in the chess game every year and have enjoyed fair all these long years.

theyfight@yahoo.com
http://www.theyfight.net

I started fest in 1999 as Athos the Musketeer, doing the odd bit of stage combat. 2001, Musketeers are dead, but I'll be out doing something.

aaron@interactivetheatre.org
http://www.interactivetheatre.org

Melissa Proulx, Tatterdemalions
Charis

melproulx23@hotmail.com

For the past eight years I have worked for an independent food vendor selling apple dumplings, one of the festival's finest treats. I was invited by Michael Devor to join the Town Crier Corps and see what the festival is like on the other side of the counter. I am looking forward to the coming 2005 season.
[submitted 6/11/2005]

dianatyree@yahoo.com
www.destinationsbydiana.com

I joined the Renaissance in 2004 working as a runner in Area 500. But I have been voulenteering since 2001. My Grandma and my Cousin work in CKC area 500 and my grandma has worked out there for 16 years.
[submitted 1/28/2006]

Munkeebump@yahoo.com

Claire Purvey, Street
Rose Willde, 1st Knight of the Spoon, Royal Storyteller for King Mush, and Pope of Litvia

I started Fest in the '97 season, at the way to naive age of 16. For three years, I worked as a rose girl for the Thatchentree, and switched to street for the 2001 season. Rose is a Spoon-loving narceleptic, who's often found trying to blend in with the Tatters or playing in the fountains at Front Gate. Her passions in life are for water fights, mud fights, high speed chases, and sleeping. The Spoon is the biggest and best Spoon ever, and Rose's time is often spent trying to track down whoever stole it most recently. She's often found in the company of Lilly, running amuck with whoever is handy.

dorkUR@hotmail.com

I've been going to the MRF since 1994...I was dressed as a tourist. Since 1998 I've had season passes and I can normally be seen with a furry animal puppet, doing street magic, playing with the crystal stix on display, camping out at vilification tennis, doing weird things like power-groveling or general insanity, and lounging around (I'm a playtron, I can do that). My costume is basically what you see in the photo and a crossbow I now wear on my back. I can normally be found strolling the grounds, at the rocks, or at the bear. I also spend one day a year cleverly dressed as a tourist to spy on you lot.

eric_putkonen@yahoo.com